Sports injury prevention

[Kitty]

I've been doing some research on sports injuries over the past few days and decided to write a little thread about prevention techniques geared towards playing paintball. Allthough paintball is statisticly a safe sport (safer than bowling i've heard) minor injuries ARE common. It's not a big deal when you're young and can heal quickly, but following some simple techniques can keep you in the game longer.

To reduce risk of injury:

Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate protective equipment such as elbow and knee pads, goggles, and protective cups
Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises before and after games can increase flexibility.
Strengthen muscles. Conditioning exercises during practice and before games strengthens muscles used in play.
Use the proper technique. Proper position and stance is important. Especially during long games where the strain on your wrist will become more apperant.
Take breaks. Rest periods during practice and games can reduce injuries and prevent overheating.
Play safe. Superman dives and other such insanity is best left to the pros.
Stop the activity if there is pain.
Avoid heat injury by drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play; decrease or stop practices or competitions during high heat/humidity periods; wear light clothing.
that's all i've got so far - more to follow :D

PLAY SAFE :D

[Soren]

Awesome Kitty, this is really good stuff. :D :D

[Kain556]

Wish you had posted all of this before I blew out my knee while sliding into a tree and laying down cover fire for a team mate to move up.

hehe

[Kitty]

LOL

another things to add

knee injuries are common in high impact sports such as running and jumping. All this plus the sliding and kneeling you do in paintball is really hard on knees. Proper footwear is important to keeping your joints properly alligned and minimizing stress on the knee. Pads made specificly for sliding and the sport of paintball are also VERY important.
take it from a guy who has a titanium and ceramic fake knee do to a serious bike accident - hurt knees SUCK!

[ajnin]

If you get hurt guys, don't be home docs. Go to the hostiple, I have watched too many of my punk rock friends decide that it ill heal by itself. It never does right. IF you do ever have to get you bone rebroken cause you didnt want to go to the docs, please invite me. Its great, i will hold your hand, I will also be laughing at you the whole time.

[Kain556]

So when I finally do go to the doc. you will hold my hand.. thats just so sweet. :D :D :D